WinFindGrep

A Windows application for searching text in files across multiple directories, inspired by the functionality of the Unix "grep" command.

Website: https://valginer0.github.io/WinFindGrepWebsite/

Features

• Search for text across multiple directories simultaneously

• Support for file filters (default: *.txt)

• Advanced search options:

  • Case sensitivity
  • Whole word matching
  • Regular expressions
  • Extended search with escape characters (\n, \r, \t)

• Replace functionality to update text in multiple files

• Results displayed with file path, line number, and content

• Double-click on results to open the file

• Search History: Remembers previously searched directories

• Cancellation: Stop long-running searches instantly

Getting Started

Prerequisites

• Windows operating system
• No additional dependencies required (self-contained application)

Installation

1. Download the latest release executable from the Releases page
2. No installation needed - just run the .exe file

Building from Source (Optional)

If you prefer to build from source:

1. Clone this repository or download the source code
2. Build the project using Visual Studio or JetBrains Rider
3. For a standalone executable, use the "Publish" feature in your IDE with "Self-contained" and "Single file" options

Usage

1. Enter the text to search for in the "Find what:" field
2. Optionally, enter replacement text in the "Replace with:" field
3. Specify file filters (e.g., *.txt, *.cs, *.xml) separated by commas
4. Enter one or more directories to search in (separated by commas)
5. Select your search options:
   • Match whole word only
   • Match case
   • In all sub-folders
   • In hidden folders
6. Choose a search mode:
   • Normal: Standard text search
   • Extended: Support for escape sequences
   • Regular expression: Use regex patterns
7. Click "Find All" to search or "Replace in Files" to replace

Development

The application is built with C# and .NET 9.0 using Windows Forms.

Project Structure

• Forms/: Contains the UI components
• Models/: Contains data models
• Services/: Contains business logic for file operations

Support

If you find this tool useful, consider supporting its development:

License

This project is licensed under the MIT License - see the LICENSE file for details.

Acknowledgments

• Inspired by grep command-line utility
• Built with .NET and Windows Forms